Monday, September 29, 2014

Kimchi Pancakes



Kimchi Pancake
Adapted from Giada recipe
Makes two pancakes

1            cup flour
1            cup cold water
1            egg replacer (I used EnerG in box)
1            teaspoon salt
1/2         cup Kimchi, chopped
1/4         cup grapeseed oil
              soy sauce for dipping


In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, water, egg replacer and salt.  Stir in the chopped kimchi.  Heat a 9” skillet over medium high heat.  Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.  Pour half of the batter into the pan to form a pancake.  Cook on the first side until golden brown, about 4 minutes.  Using a large spatula, flip the pancake and cook on the reverse side until golden brown.  Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.  Cut the pancakes into wedges and serve with soy sauce for dipping.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Artichoke Soup


We stopped by the Clawson Farmer's Market this past weekend and picked up an enormous head of Cauliflower so I could make a giant pot of soup to share with my parents. It's always great to have a container of soup in the fridge -- cures what ails ya.

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Artichoke Soup
Adapted from Web

1            large head of cauliflower
1            cup of artichoke hearts, I used a bit of the jarred oil as well
2-3        minced cloves garlic
2-3       small yellow potatoes  (***was not in original recipe)
            olive oil
1          cup of vegan milk (I used almond milk)
4-5       cups vegetable stock
            pinch of thyme
            zest of a lemon
            salt and pepper to taste

***Because I used the potatoes as a thickener, I ended up adding a bit more vegetable stock and vegan milk. 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Wash your cauliflower then cut into flowerets.  Wash your potatoes and leave whole.

In a large sized bowl, toss the cauliflower and potatoes with enough olive oil to coat all the pieces, add a sprinkling of salt and pepper.  Then spread them out over a rimmed baking sheet.

Now put your cauliflower in a preheated 425 degree oven and roast it.  Turn the pieces periodically until almost tender (takes between 20-30 minutes).

Cook potatoes slightly and cut into quarters.

Add oil to soup pot, add garlic and cook just a few seconds.  Add the cauliflower and potatoes, stir around a bit.  Add the artichoke hearts with a bit of their oil, if using oil packed, thyme and vegetable stock to the pot.  Turn heat way down and simmer for a few minutes until the cauliflower is fully tender. 


Puree the soup in blender or with emulsion blender right in the pot.  Add vegan milk and a dab of vegan butter to make extra decadent.  Sprinkle with lemon zest.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Strawberry-Mango Guacamole



Last weekend of the summer Guacamole idea.

Strawberry-Mango Guacamole
Oh She Glows Cookbook
http://ohsheglows.com
Makes 3 cups

2             medium avocados, pitted and small diced or roughly chopped
1/2          cup finely chopped red onion
1             fresh mango, pitted, peeled and finely chopped
1 & 1/4   Cups finely chopped bulled strawberries
1/4          cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
1-2          tablespoons fresh lime juice, to taste
               Fine-grain sea salt
               Chips for serving


Rinse and drain the chopped onion in a strainer to wash off the sulfurous compounds.  This softens the taste of raw onion.  Add the avocados, mango, strawberries and cilantro.  Season with lime juice and sea salt.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Cajun Tofu and Rice


This recipe originally called for Scallops, but since Tofu has a similar texture I thought I'd give it a try and the tofu held up nicely to the spices.


Cajun Tofu and Rice
Adapted from Magazine Recipe

2          tablespoons vegan butter
3          scallions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
1          jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1          cup white jasmine rice
1          bay leaf
            kosher salt
            cilantro, big bunch chopped up

1          pkg. Firm tofu, drained and patted dry. Cut into mini squares
            flour (I used chick pea flour) for coating
            Cajun seasoning
            Turmeric
            Oil for frying
            Lemon for dressing and serving

Melt the vegan butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the scallion white and jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes.  Add 1 -1/2 cups water, the rice, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a simmer.  Reduce the heat to low; stir, then cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, 15-18 minutes.  Remove from the hat and stir in the cilantro.  Cover and set aside.

In a medium bowl, add enough flour to coat all the tofu pieces – approximately 1/4 cup flour.  Pour generous amount of Cajun seasoning, turmeric for color and salt.  Mix seasoning in with flour.  Drain, dry and dice tofu into medium size squares.  Coat the tofu squares in the seasoned flour and then fry.

Heat oil in saucepan.  Fry all sides of the tofu, flipping when they are browned and slightly crisp. 

Serve over rice and dress with lemon juice.


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Broccoli Salad



This dish was adapted from a Trisha Yearwood recipe.  She knows how to make a good salad!  I love the addition of raisins and sunflower seeds.

Broccoli Salad
Modified Trisha Yearwood recipe

5            strips Tempeh or “non meat” bacon
2-3         cups small broccoli florets  (I like lots of broccoli)
1            cup veganaise
1            tablespoon cider vinegar
1/3         cup chopped onion
1/4         cup sugar
3/4         cup raisins
1/2         cup sunflower seeds

In a medium skillet, cook the tempeh/vegan bacon over medium heat just until crisp; drain on paper towel. When cool enough to handle, cut into little pieces and set aside.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil.  Add the broccoli and blanch until bright green and slightly softened, about 3 minutes.  Drain well, run under cold water to stop the cooking and drain again.

In a mixing bowl, combine the vegan mayo, vinegar, onion, sugar, and raisins.  Add the broccoli and toss to coat with the dressing.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Just before serving, fold in the sunflower kernels and all but 2 tablespoons of the crumbled tempeh bacon.  Sprinkle the reserved tempeh bacon over the salad to garnish. 


Thursday, September 4, 2014

Southwest Pinto Bean Burger


We love trying out new vegan burgers and especially like burgers made with beans.  The sauce makes this extra special.  I could only find Adobo Salsa and it worked out fine for the sauce.

Southwest Pinto Bean Burgers with Chipotle Vegan Mayo
Adapted from Web

1/2         cup diced onion
1/2         cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4         cup chopped cilantro
2            tablespoons minced and seeded jalapeno pepper
2            tablespoons vegan sour cream
1            teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2         teaspoon ground cumin
1/2         teaspoon garlic salt
1/4         teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8         teaspoon salt
1            replacement for large egg
1            15 oz. can pinto beans, drained
1            8 oz. can no salt-added whole kernel corn, drained

Chipotle Vegan Mayonnaise
1/2         cup vegan mayonnaise
1            teaspoon canned minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce (I could only find
                                                Adobo salsa so I added couple tablespoons of that)

Oil for frying, buns and romaine leaves.

To prepare burgers, combine the first 10 ingredients in a large bowl.  Add pinto beans and corn; partially mash with a fork.  Divide bean mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 3 1/2” patty, and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

To prepare chipotle vegan mayo, combine vegan mayo and 1 teaspoon chipotle in a small bowl; set aside.


Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add patties to pan, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until thoroughly heated.  Place patties on bottom halves of buns; top each patty with 1 tablespoon mayo, 1 lettuce leaf and top half of bun.  **We added fresh avocado slices.